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Recipe for Revenge Mysteries #1
The Strawberry Social
A Small Town Culinary Cozy Mystery
Samantha "Sam" Stellar just wanted a fresh start. After losing her restaurant, she packed up her life, her beloved Standard Poodle Dill, and a secondhand catering van nicknamed The Rolling Scone, and headed for the charming waterfront town of Carlton Cove. Her first big gig — the dessert spread for the town's annual Strawberry Social — was supposed to put her new business on the map. Instead, the reigning Strawberry Queen collapses after a single bite of Sam's signature shortcake, and suddenly the new caterer in town is the prime suspect in a murder investigation.
With her business on the line and a sharp-eyed detective watching her every move, Sam starts asking questions — and discovers that beneath Carlton Cove's sunny surface lies a tangle of old rivalries, bruised egos, and grudges that have been simmering for decades. Armed with nothing but her instincts, a notepad, and a poodle with an uncannily good nose, Sam must sort through small-town secrets and long-held jealousies to find the real killer before her catering career is dead on arrival.
Packed with witty banter, quirky characters, and a mystery that will keep you guessing, The Strawberry Social is the deliciously fun first installment in the Recipe for Revenge series. If you love cozy mysteries with a side of humor, a dash of heart, and a dog who deserves his own badge, pull up a chair — Sam Stellar is serving something you won't want to miss.
Samantha "Sam" Stellar just wanted a fresh start. After losing her restaurant, she packed up her life, her beloved Standard Poodle Dill, and a secondhand catering van nicknamed The Rolling Scone, and headed for the charming waterfront town of Carlton Cove. Her first big gig — the dessert spread for the town's annual Strawberry Social — was supposed to put her new business on the map. Instead, the reigning Strawberry Queen collapses after a single bite of Sam's signature shortcake, and suddenly the new caterer in town is the prime suspect in a murder investigation.
With her business on the line and a sharp-eyed detective watching her every move, Sam starts asking questions — and discovers that beneath Carlton Cove's sunny surface lies a tangle of old rivalries, bruised egos, and grudges that have been simmering for decades. Armed with nothing but her instincts, a notepad, and a poodle with an uncannily good nose, Sam must sort through small-town secrets and long-held jealousies to find the real killer before her catering career is dead on arrival.
Packed with witty banter, quirky characters, and a mystery that will keep you guessing, The Strawberry Social is the deliciously fun first installment in the Recipe for Revenge series. If you love cozy mysteries with a side of humor, a dash of heart, and a dog who deserves his own badge, pull up a chair — Sam Stellar is serving something you won't want to miss.
- GenresCozy Mystery
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 5, 2026
Sam Stellar was new in town, and hoping to make a go of her catering business. She prepared strawberry shortcake for the annual Strawberry Social. When the time came to announce the winner of the Strawberry Queen, Lorraine Pettifer’s name was read. She took a bite of the shortcake. Her hand went to her throat, then she collapsed. Detective Lina Cordero was on the scene. Lorraine was poisoned from the strawberry that was taken from the plate prepared by Sam. Who killed Lorraine and why is what Sam wants to find out, as it wasn’t her. Detective Cordero warns Sam repeatedly not be involved in the investigation. However, Sam’s dog, Dill takes matters into his own paws.
Even though this has a serious storyline, there are humorous comments throughout. I enjoyed the book.
Even though this has a serious storyline, there are humorous comments throughout. I enjoyed the book.
February 23, 2026
This is the first in the series. The main character is Sam Stellar. Sam has just moved to town and is taking part in the Strawberry Social with her Strawberry Shortcakes .She is hoping to win over some customers by letting them know what she is capable of. The Strawberry Queen is suppose to eat her shortcake but one bite and she falls dead. Now Sam is trying to figure out what happened and who did it. It's the only way to save her business. Can she figure this out before every one thinks she did it?
July 1, 2026
Good basic mystery
Although a quick read and basically a good mystery, the story had some weird timelines. A 30 year old feud about bring crowned Strawberry Queen but seemingly only for the last three years? Also, these are 50+ something year old women? In most places, Strawberry Queens are usually young women in their late teens or early twenties. So these competitive queens seemed a bit weird.
Although a quick read and basically a good mystery, the story had some weird timelines. A 30 year old feud about bring crowned Strawberry Queen but seemingly only for the last three years? Also, these are 50+ something year old women? In most places, Strawberry Queens are usually young women in their late teens or early twenties. So these competitive queens seemed a bit weird.
March 28, 2026
Good mystery
Sam does catering and agreed to do strawberry short and for the festival. After the strawberry princess eats the shortcake she falls over dead. Sam becomes a person of interest. Sam and her dog Dill start investigating. Its interesting how she follows the clues. It is an interesting book.
Sam does catering and agreed to do strawberry short and for the festival. After the strawberry princess eats the shortcake she falls over dead. Sam becomes a person of interest. Sam and her dog Dill start investigating. Its interesting how she follows the clues. It is an interesting book.
July 5, 2026
A good, interesting story although the rivalry seems a little off. A woman in her fifties winning strawberry queen 3 years in a row? Where are the young women who usually participate in these pageants? When the winner dies, Sam and her dog Dill start investigating.
July 11, 2026
A Delightful Book
I thought the plot was good. I liked Sam and her adorable poodle!
I did feel sorry for the perpetrator, but I hope they gave her a reduced sentence!
mitchellvirginia677@aol.com
I thought the plot was good. I liked Sam and her adorable poodle!
I did feel sorry for the perpetrator, but I hope they gave her a reduced sentence!
mitchellvirginia677@aol.com
March 6, 2026
Great cozy mystery!
March 27, 2026
An excellent mystery
Justine Jacobs is an excellent story teller. She develops her story, her characters and adds laughter to make it a wonderful book.
Justine Jacobs is an excellent story teller. She develops her story, her characters and adds laughter to make it a wonderful book.
April 1, 2026
Justine Jacob’s has written an absolute gem of a series about a plucky fmc who you really root for!! The characters and storyline were just as good as I had hoped they would be!!! 🙌🙌🙌☺️☺️☺️
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews